Journalist: Today we’re talking to the famous millionaire, Jack Whilby, one of the richest men in the world. As you have previously said, Jack, you didn’t become a millionaire overnight. It took you nearly two decades to build your empire of affluence. Everybody knows your superb restaurants where some of the most delicious dishes in the world are served. Many of our viewers would like to find out about how your career began and what your road to wealth looked like. Now, after twenty years or so, when you look back at your life, do you think you would do the same things? And what sort of advice would you give to budding capitalists or businessmen?

Jack Whilby: If you want to become a millionaire there are certain things you have to do. First of all, you must be determined and never think of giving up. As for myself, I was born into a very poor family. My parents had to work very hard from ten to twelve hours a day just to make ends meet. I could never come to terms with the way they had to live. Most probably, they never thought of changing it. What I remember is that I used to day-dream a lot. I couldn’t resist the overwhelming impression that I deserved a better life. Some people would call it destiny.

J: Do you mean that you were destined for greatness?

JW: That sounds very dramatic, but I think you’re right.

J: And your road to success wasn’t paved with good intentions only. I mean, you didn’t only day-dream, but above all you tried to do as much as possible to make your dreams come true. You started with a small restaurant on the outskirts of Hollywood and you became the owner of one of the largest chains of restaurants in our country and probably in the entire world.

JW: Yes, that’s right, but in the beginning life was very hard. In my first restaurant I only had one employee, who was a close friend of mine and who had agreed to work without pay for one month. He was my only employee for the first six months. I couldn’t afford to employ any more people, I couldn’t lure them with the promise of high wages because our income was small and the threat of bankruptcy was becoming more and more realistic. I must tell you that during that time I managed to get a very favourable loan. But the loan was running out very quickly and so the chance of paying it back was very slim.

J: How did you feel then – did you feel despair?

JW: Yes, basically I felt lonely and helpless. And yes..., I felt despair surging up within me.

J: So, what did you decide to do?

JW: I decided to sell the restaurant and as a last resort I borrowed some more money to buy another restaurant which was better situated. And then I started a big advertising campaign.

J: And you became a man of success. Now you’re the epitome of a self-made man. Everyone knows you. People admire and respect you. You claim you’re an honest man and that you have very few or no enemies. It sounds rather strange if a millionaire says that, doesn’t it?